Scott Jamison BUT THAT WAY LIES... By Scott K. Jamison (Ranma 1/2 and its associated characters created by Rumiko Takahashi, and no infringement is intended.) The rickety bus stopped in the middle of nowhere. But then it had stopped in the middle of nowhere several times before, and people had gotten on or off, so Nodoka presumed there must be habitations somewhere about. It took her a moment to realize the bus driver's shouting was aimed at herself. Apparently, this was her stop. Once again, she regretted never learning Chinese. The phrasebook she'd bought at the airport was almost useless. Okay, that she recognized. She gathered her travel bag, and her other, more vital parcel, and forced her way past the other passengers, none of whom seemed inclined to move. In fact, some of them looked downright hostile. She'd been getting that kind of look ever since she arrived in China and first told an official where she was going. Apparently this Joketsuzoku place (she could never remember the correct Chinese phrase) was considered either a legend or a menace by most of the government. And as she got closer to it, the regular citizens recognized the name too, and not usually favorably. Nodoka looked around. There seemed to be no sign of civilization save the bus itself and the rutted track it had followed. The driver gestured off into the mountains and spat. The bus door slammed, and the vehicle sputtered off. Well, that direction would do as well as any other. To her surprise, after about two hundred meters, she found a well-kept dirt road, much better than the one she'd just left. She followed it. Nodoka shifted her luggage. The long cloth bundle reminded her of her purpose in coming. Soon, the decade-long wait would be over, one way or the other. She contemplated the katana swaddled within, her constant companion these ten lonely years. She had taken it up as part of her husband's pledge. True, she was no master of the sword. But she knew one stroke to perfection. The beheading stroke. It was like those nuclear missiles the superpowers had. It was important to possess, but one hoped never to use it. She hoped against hope that her husband had not failed her, but if he had, he and Ranma would not suffer undue pain. A sentry stood ahead, a woman who looked like she had grown in the spot where she was planted. She was like something out an ancient tale, bright silk clothing and armor, carrying a curiously-fashioned polearm. As Nodoka drew closer, she noticed the woman also had a modern military rifle slung over her shoulder. When Nodoka came just outside good rushing distance, the sentry shouted what was probably a command to stop, so Nodoka did. Then the sentry made a motion that she interpreted as telling her to lay down her luggage. She did this as well, carefully laying the katana bundle in easy reach. The sentry approached, and barked questions in Chinese. Nodoka tried to reply in Japanese, but evidently the sentry didn't know any. Finally she resorted to pulling out the telegram. "I'm here to see Cologne. You see, Cologne?" replied the sentry firmly. She pulled out a walkie-talkie and spoke rapidly into it. She made a hand gesture and gave an order that evidently meant "stay here." She then resumed her previous position, eyeing Nodoka suspiciously. As she waited in the mid-afternoon heat, Nodoka almost dozed. It had been a long and tiring journey from Japan. "Wait up, Mr. Panda!" came a girlish voice from somewhere in the nearby forest. Someone else here spoke Japanese? But the speaker did not appear. Instead, a curiously hopping little figure came down the road. As it came closer, Nodoka realized it was a woman, incredibly gnarled and wrinkled with age. Incredibly, she seemed to be using her walking stick to pogo along, fast enough that her long white hair did not touch the ground. The sentry gave a curious salute to what was obviously a village elder, and motioned Nodoka to come closer. She couldn't shake the impression that the sentry was amused by her carefully learned phrase. "Greetings. I am Kuh Lon, matriarch of this village. For your convenience, shall we speak Japanese?" The old woman's Japanese was excellent, with a trace of a British accent. She seemed to be examining Nodoka's face even more closely than one might expect. "Yes, I would be most grateful." "Good. You may leave your luggage here. It will be taken to the guest quarters." "I apologize for my rudeness, but may I see my husband and son now? I have come a long way, and am most anxious." The old woman made her face neutral. "There is something else you must see first. It will be easier to show you than to tell you." "I--very well. Lead on." She picked up the katana. "You may leave your luggage here. It is an hour's walk." "This I never leave behind." "Ah." Kuh Lon led on in silence, along a well-worn path. After a few minutes, they passed a sign with red lettering. "Danger ahead. Do not enter." translated the old woman without prompting. They entered a pass. There was another sign. "Forbidden Area. Authorized Personnel only." "But--" "I am an Authorized Person. You are my responsibility. I will not allow you to come to harm." Somehow this did not comfort Nodoka. The path began to wind down, towards a valley covered in mist. The air had a chill to it. Nodoka fancied it was not all due to the moisture. There was another sign. "`Turn Back Now. This is your final warning.' Your husband, does he know how to read Chinese?" "No, I don't think so. What *is* this place?" As they penetrated the mists, Nodoka saw that the floor of the valley was covered in small pools, most of which had bamboo poles sticking out of them. "This is Jyuusenkyo, the Valley of Accursed Springs." They kept walking until they were within a stone's throw of the nearest pool. "It is not safe to approach any closer. Now, we need--aha!" Kuh Lon bent for a moment, and her hand moved faster than seemed humanly possible. When she straightened (as much as it was possible for her to do), she held a small field mouse. "This will do nicely. Now, I must warn you that what you are about to see is difficult to believe. But there is no illusion or trickery here. It is very real." Nodoka shivered at just the tone in the old woman's voice. Kuh Lon flicked her wrist, and the mouse was propelled into the nearest pool with a tiny splash. The water began boiling, and something came out of it. A magnificent stag. One any hunter would be proud to bag. It looked about, obviously confused, then stumbled off. "But that's--" "Impossible. Yes, I know. But it is true. Each of the Jyuusenkyo springs has a different curse, but they all work the same way. Someone or something drowned in the pool, and now whoever falls in permanently takes on the form of whatever drowned there. Worse, their mind is taken from them, so they become as their new form dictates. The mouse now has the body and mind of a deer, though without the memories of a deer. If it survives, it will become as any other deer." Nodoka nearly staggered. True magic, like a fairy tale gone horribly wrong. And her husband had come to this place, had brought their *son* here.... "Then Genma and Ranma..." "Came here, yes. The Guide tried to warn them, but his Japanese was very poor, and your husband was most stubborn, or so the Guide tells me." "If this place is so dangerous, why didn't you guard it better?" Trying not to think of what must have happened. "We have tried. Walls, electrified fences, dynamite to seal the flow of water forever. All failed due to `coincidence'. We have come to the conclusion that the spirits of this place are hungry, that they need, no, *demand* that a few victims each year fall sacrifice to the curses. At one time, it was the custom to throw criminals into the springs to propitiate the spirits. But eventually, we ran out of criminals." "My husband, my son--" "Your husband is dead, Mrs. Saotome. You must believe that. It will be better all around." The old woman bowed her head as if in prayer. "And Ranma? What happened to Ranma?!" Nodoka felt almost hysterical. "Ranma has...changed. You will see. But you had to see the curse first, so you would know that I speak truth." "Y-yes. I would not have believed it if I had not seen with my own eyes." "Then it is time we return to the village. Know that I grieve with you for your loss. I too have lost a loved one to the springs, long ago." The trip back passed in silence. Nodoka shed silent tears for her husband. Oh, Genma, how *could* you? She regretted again their parting, that she had not delayed him a moment more, that she had not made him stay. She had not told him enough that she loved him. Now he was gone forever. The shadows had grown long by the time they returned. This high in the mountains, the nights were cold even in mid-spring. Kuh Lon led Nodoka to a small hut, where a stern-faced Amazon had laid her luggage. "Rest now. I will show you Ranma soon, at my home." Nodoka was too tired to sleep, but the Amazon offered a backrub by gestures, and that relaxed her a bit. After about an hour, she was motioned out, and shown to a washroom, where she did a quick removal of the worst of the road dust. Kuh Lon's house was grander than the others in the village only in terms of scale, but it had electric light and running water. A purple-haired teenage girl smiled widely at her approach. "Nihao! Shampoo happy to see guest!" "Xian Pu, go fetch Ranma. Do not say why." "Yes, Great-Grandmother." Kuh Lon turned to Nodoka. "Remember, the curse has affected Ranma's mind. The poor child has no memory before coming out of the pool. Ranma will not recognize you, and does not remember having a different body before. It would probably not be wise to remark on the change." "I...I understand. I hope." Nodoka tried to prepare herself for the worst, not knowing what the worst could be. Her hand tightened around the katana. Its solidity reassured her. "Evening, Great-Gramma!" came a girl's voice. Xian Pu was back already? No, it was another girl, who looked a bit younger than Xian Pu. She was pretty, with hair tied back in a ponytail, and had curves that made even the Amazon pantsuit she was wearing look feminine. Her wide eyes darted from side to side, seeming to delight in everything she saw. She was carrying a small black piglet in her arms. "Child, did you have to bring that...thing...in with you?" asked Kuh Lon. "Piggy-wiggy got lost again, and Maybe threatened to cook it for dinner!" "You know Mei Bi only says that to tease you. You're way too attached to your pets. Now say hello to our guest." "Hi!" She bowed very prettily. Nodoka found her heart warming towards this girl, who reminded her of herself at that age. "Ranma, this is Nodoka Saotome, your mother." Ranma? This girl was *Ranma*? "You're my mommy? Really and truly?" asked the girl breathlessly. Nodoka looked into the girl's eerily familiar eyes, and suddenly she *knew*. "Yes, Ranma. I am your mother." Ranma dropped her pig, which squealed in protest. "Mommy!" She rushed forward and embraced Nodoka. Soon they were both crying tears of joy, though mixed with sorrow in the mother's case. Supper was a happier affair than Nodoka could have believed. Xian Pu had cooked up a ramen feast, and joined them. Ranma babbled about life in the Amazon village. Nodoka noted that she acted much younger than she looked, possibly because her lack of memory made her childlike. "Xian Pu is my best friend! She's the strongest girl in the whole village, and she can beat anyone, even the biggest fighter!" "Ranma too too nice! She help Shampoo learn Japanese!" After they ate, they played some traditional board games. Ranma played remarkably well, Nodoka noticed. Eventually, Kuh Lon sent Xian Pu home, and Ranma grew sleepy. Nodoka sang her to sleep with a lullaby she'd sung for her son oh so long ago. Her son... "We have not told Ranma she used to be a boy. There may be some trouble with the records." Nodoka hadn't thought of that. In fact, she hadn't considered anything past this night. "It has been ten years since I saw Ranma last. I did not expect this much change, but there is little at home that would say that things were ever otherwise..." "This will be difficult for you, I know. It may even be too much to bear. If you decide it would be best, we would adopt Ranma into our tribe. Amazon ways may seem harsh to outsiders, but it is not the worst life available. I know this for a fact." "But to be abandoned by her mother--" "For centuries, our village has taken in women outcast from or fleeing their homes. Many of them had gone through much trauma, sometimes too much to allow them to function. Our healers have developed ways to...ease memories. For Ranma, it would be as if you had never met her." "Never...met her." The sweet oblivion of forgetfulness. But at what cost to her honor? "These are hard decisions. You do not have to make them immediately. Stay with us a while, get to know your daughter." "There is no reason to hurry back to Japan, true." Nodoka stared at the fire. Genma was dead, as surely as if a sword had cut off his head. Ranma was no man among men, nor would ever be. But the boy who'd playfully put his handprints on a contract was gone, as surely as his father. Honor would have to be satisfied with that. She drew a piece of paper from her kimono and tossed it into the flames. "May I ask?" "A broken promise, nothing more." THE END After "Twilight Existence" and "Worst Case Scenario" (these will show up on RAAC sometime soon...) you had to know this one was coming. SKJAM! "Send comments, please, to majks@cyberx.com" From: "Kevin D. Hammel" Subject: [Ranma][FanFic] Beyond That Way... V.02 Ranma 1/2 and its associated characters created by Rumiko Takahashi, no infringement is intended. ------------------------------------------------------------ This story picks up just after Scott K. Jamison's "But That Way Lies..." Nodoka watched the flames consume the compact her husband and son had made, as surely as the accursed springs had consumed them. "Kuh Lon, I will stay in your village until the necessary arrangements have been made...I would like to take my daughter home." "You choose a difficult path, warrior, your daughter would know only happiness here, but I am glad that she will know her mother. Good luck to you. You and your daughter can stay as my guests until you have completed arrangements." ------- The next morning, Nodoka went to see her daughter. Ranma was playing in the living room with Xian Pu. Nodoka smiled at her. "Mommy!" Ranma shouted, running to embrace her mother. "Ranma, would you like to go home with me? I live far from here in a land called Japan." "Would I have to leave Piggy-wiggy and Mr. Panda?" "I don't think they want to come." Nodoka said, knowing they would not be allowed entry. "Can my friend Xian Pu come?" "No, her home is here. Would you please come with me to YOUR home?" Nodoka pleaded, her eyes shimmering. "OK, but I have to cry a little." Ranma cried for several minutes, her mother comforting her. ------- Nodoka knew she would have to fax documents to the Japanese Embassy, but she had another task to complete, writing a letter to Genma's lifelong friend Tendo Soun. She mailed the letter by Air Express on her first trip to the nearest city. ------- Tendo Soun, Greetings from China. I regret to inform you that there was a tragic training accident which claimed the life of my husband, and your friend, Genma. Ranma also suffered greatly in the accident, and is now unfit to marry your daughters. The child is physically and mentally fit, but has changed. You will need to see what has occurred with your own eyes, as I have. Could we visit you upon our return to Japan? Ranma would benefit greatly from the company of your daughters. Thank You, Saotome Nodoka PS Please find 2000 Yen enclosed to pay for return mail by the fastest means. ------- Nodoka had to commute 50 Kilometers each way by bus to fax documents to, and receive faxes from, the Japanese Embassy. The Japanese government was reluctant to allow Ranma to "emigrate" from China. The Saotome Ranma her passport described was clearly not the Saotome Ranma who wanted to "immigrate" to Japan. It was agreed that Ranma and her mother would visit the Consulate in Shanghai to discuss the situation in person in 1 week. The day before she and Ranma were to leave, she commuted back to the city one last time. There was a tear-stained letter waiting. ------- Dear Nodoka, I am saddened to hear of the tragic passing of my dear friend Genma. My daughters would be happy to visit with you and Ranma, though I am puzzled why he is no longer fit for marriage to one of them. Please call us when you return from China. Tendo Soun ------- Beyond that way... Phoenix Rising By Kevin D. Hammel An unofficial continuation of "But That Way Lies" by Scott Jamison ------- The young girl was entranced by the view from the train. Vista upon vista rolled past the window, mountains, forests, fields, and lakes. Nodoka was happy to see her child enjoying herself. Too soon, for the younger Saotome, the train reached Shanghai. The Japanese Consulate was only a 30 minute walk from the station. The two Saotomes checked in to an inexpensive hotel near the Consulate. "Mommy, is this home?" "No, dear, we need to talk to some people across the street about going home. Let's get ready to visit them." Nodoka had mail-ordered some clothes on one of her trips to fax documents, picking them up on a subsequent trip. Ranma traded her pantsuit and slippers for a jumper, blouse, stockings, and shoes. "Wow! Thank you for the new clothes, mommy. Am I pretty?" Nodoka nodded yes, fighting back tears. "Let's go, dear." Her fight was in vain. The two Saotomes presented themselves for their eleven o'clock appointment at 10:45. As the clock struck eleven, a man wearing a business suit approached them "Mrs. Saotome? I am Mr. Takahashi from the immigration department. Could I speak to you and your...daughter?" "Of course." "Sure!" Ranma said, smiling brightly at the man. Nodoka was surprised to learn that this was not the first brush that Japan had with Jusenkyo. A set of procedures to address Ranma's problem was already in place. The government had already confirmed that Nodoka had been pregnant only once. A blood test of Ranma and her mother would prove their relationship. All official documents would be changed to reflect her new gender if the test proved positive. On a sadder note, sworn affidavits from the villagers who witnessed Genma's misfortune were admitted as evidence, and a death certificate was issued. Ranma did not understand why her mother was crying over a piece of paper, and Nodoka did not tell her. When the results of the blood tests came in, mother and daughter were again summoned to the Consulate. "Hi, Mr. Takahashi!" Ranma smiled at the man. "Hello, Ranma. My secretary has some candy for you, why don't you visit with her. I need to talk to your mother." "OK" she skipped out of the office. "Mrs. Saotome, sit down. First of all, the blood test proved that you were Ranma's mother." "Of course, I knew I was her mother after all." "I have a new passport for Ranma, and all official documents in Japan have been changed. Good luck to you, Mrs. Saotome." Takahashi said as he pushed the documents across his desk to Nodoka. "Thank you," Nodoka said as she left the room. Ranma and her mother boarded the next flight to Narita. Ranma was amazed by the view out the window. ------- "I sure like Japan! I can understand what all of the people are saying!" Ranma enthused as she skipped ahead of her mother at the airport. "Could you stop for a minute, dear? I need to make a phone call." Nodoka lifted the phone and inserted a few coins, then dialed the Tendo residence. "Hello, is your father there?" "This is Mrs. Saotome." "Hello" "It was a shock to us, too" "Could we meet you in an hour?" "Thank you." She hung up the phone. "We are going to visit the Tendos, some friends of your fa...mine. Get ready, Ranma, we are going to ride on a train again!" "OK!" Ranma followed her mother to the train station. "I sure like trains!" ------- The two Saotomes walked to the door of the Tendo home and knocked. A girl, who was a little taller, but looked to be about Ranma's age, opened the door. She had long black hair and was wearing a gi. "Father, I think your guests are here!" "Thank you Akane." The voice grew louder as it approached the door. "Good morning Mrs. Saotome and Ran..." His voice vanished. Tendo Soun looked with surprise at the girl standing next to Nodoka. "Hi, Mr. Tendo!" she said brightly, smiling with her eyes alight. "Akane, could you show my daughter the dojo? I need to talk to your father." ------- Soun and the two older Tendo daughters, Kasumi and Nabiki, listened with horror to Nodoka's tale of the fate of her husband and son. Soun was soon in tears, followed by Kasumi. Nabiki listened impassively. "Ranma is going to need a lot of help, she is emotionally 2 months old, but has a 16 year old mind and body. In honor of my husband, could we stay with you?" "Both of you are welcome here. It is the least we can do, to honor Genma's memory and help you and your daughter adjust." "I would be delighted to help her!" Kasumi said with genuine joy. "It's fine with me." Nabiki said in a monotone. "Thank you, Tendo." "You are welcome, Saotome." "I wonder how Ranma and Akane are doing?" Nodoka asked, approaching the dojo to the sounds of laughter. ------- Ranma and Akane sat opposite each other talking and laughing. Both had worked up a sweat, and Ranma's blouse was certainly the worse for wear. "Hi, mom. Akane's a good fighter. She said she would practice with me, is that OK?" "That's fine, dear." So, her daughter was interested in the Art? Certainly, her body was superbly tuned for martial arts by... her... Nodoka began to cry. "Mommy, what's wrong?" Ranma asked, concerned. "Nothing, dear. Akane, your father would like to have a few words with you. Let's go inside, Ranma" "OK!" she chirped, running into the house. ------- A few minutes later, a sobbing Akane and Soun entered the living room. Ranma was in the kitchen with "Big Sister" Kasumi eating cookies. Needless to say, joyous laughter emanated from there. "Mrs. Saotome, my father told me what happened to Ranma, and that you two will be staying here for a while. Let me tell you that we all share your grief." "Thank you, Akane. Since you are in the same grade as Ranma, you will need to look after and protect her." "I realized that, sparring with her. Will she always be like a little girl?" "I don't know...I hope not, but you Tendos and I can help her emotional age catch up with her mind and body." "I would love to help you! I really like your daughter, and I think we can become friends." "Thank you, Akane. I would like Ranma to have more friends like you." Nodoka smiled. ------- Nodoka, Ranma, Akane, and Kasumi soon left the Tendo residence to bring some of Nodoka's personal effects from the Saotome house. Nodoka also tearfully packed photos of her young son and husband, making sure Ranma didn't see what she was doing. The four then left the house and returned to Nerima. ------- "Ranma! Mrs. Saotome! Please get up, Breakfast will be ready in half an hour!" Ranma dragged herself out of bed, quickly washed, and put on one of Akane's uniforms. It was a little big in some places, and tight across the chest, but it would have to do. A hurried breakfast later, Akane and Ranma raced out the door to school. ------- "Ranma, I might need to fight a few people when we get to school." "Why do you need to fight people?" "Well, there is a guy at school who said that anyone who wants to date me has to defeat me, so there are usually several boys who want to fight me each morning." "You DATE boys?" Ranma spat. "No, I HATE boys, but they think I want to date them." Conversation was cut short by their arrival at the school. ------- Members of various and sundry sports clubs awaited Akane just inside the school entrance. Furinkan High's premier martial artist waded into the mass of humanity with gusto. It did not take long for the preliminary cards to be dealt with. It was now time for the Main Event. A young man holding a bokken was the final obstacle at the entrance to the school. Bowing to Akane, he intoned "I, upperclassman Kuno Tatewaki, the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High School greet you. Tendo Akane, more beautiful than any flower is thy face...Hello, who is this lovely angel?" "My name is Saotome Ranma and..." "BACK OFF Kuno! If you TOUCH her, your eyes will be looking out of the other side of your head!" Akane was nearly shaking with rage at the Kendoist. "...I HATE boys!" "Fair Akane, thy anger only enhances the beauty that is thine. Consider the..." Akane began to attack Kuno with rage. First his bokken was shattered. He tried to dodge and block with his hands, but could not escape Akane's fists and kicks. Soon he was down for the count. "Wow, Akane, you're good! Maybe some boys will want to date me so I can fight 'em." Ranma giggled. Somehow, Kuno managed to stand, though he looked very shaky. "I, the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High, declare that anyone wishing to date with the lovely Saotome Ranma must defeat her in combat." His speech concluded, Kuno passed out. "Be careful what you wish for, Ranma, though it will be nice to have some help on the girl's team!" Akane winked at her friend. ------- It was not yet time for class to start. Akane introduced Ranma to the teacher, who directed Ranma to sit next to Akane. The two students took their seats. "Ranma, you will be in all of my classes. Please pay attention to the teacher and do not talk, even to me." "But I like you, Akane..." "When you are in class, you must show respect to your teacher and classmates by not talking. If you talk, you will embarrass your mother and me." "OK, I'll do it for Mom and you, Akane!" Ranma did not sound too sure of herself. Each class that morning was much the same to Ranma. Akane would remind her of her duty to keep quiet. The teacher would introduce her, then talk and write on the board. Ranma was very quiet during classes, and actually found that the teachers had quite a few interesting things to say. Soon it was time for lunch. "You have been a very good girl this morning, Ranma. I am very proud of you!" "Thank you, Akane!" Ranma beamed. They enjoyed the delicious lunch boxes that Kasumi had prepared for them. The afternoon was much the same, and was capped off by Ranma's favorite class, Physical Education. When they went outside, Ranma was in her element. This class made all the boring schoolwork worthwhile, well, almost... "I like school. Thank you for helping me today, Akane." "You were a VERY good girl today, Ranma. Let's go home, OK?" ------- As could be expected, at the first school assembly, Kuno declared that any who wished to date Saotome Ranma had to defeat her in combat. Ranma was delighted to fight side by side with her friend Akane each morning. Schoolwork went well, one period at a time, for Akane and Ranma. Ranma was well behaved and attentive. After two weeks, Akane requested that Ranma sit on the other side of the class from her, and Ranma remained quiet and interested despite their separation. After the first day they sat apart, Ranma asked Akane "Am I a big girl now, Akane?" "We'll see, Ranma, we'll see." After a month, Akane was wondering if Ranma might be a big girl after all. At the end of the term, Ranma's grades were proof. ------- The night of the first term grades was a night of celebration. While Soun, Ranma, and the younger Tendos continued celebrating in the living room, Nodoka and Kasumi cleaned up the aftermath in the dining room. "Kasumi, you have been the mother in this household since you were 9 or 10. Have you considered doing more with your life than keeping house?" "What do you mean?" "I was last a mother 10 years ago, and would relish the opportunity to be one again. Kasumi, have you ever thought of expanding your horizons, going to college perhaps?" "Yes, but my family needs me!" "Kasumi, get a life! You deserve it; especially after all you have done for your family. Please let me take up the slack, so you can be a young woman before...you aren't young anymore." Nodoka looked down as she finished the sentence. "Thank you, Mrs. Saotome, I will!" As Kasumi wondered what she could do for Nodoka, she began to grin. Perhaps she could do something for ALL of them, but she needed some help... ------- There was a knock at the door. Akane rose to answer it. "Hello." "Hello, is Saotome Ranma in? I heard he lives here." The speaker was a fairly tall young man with long brown hair. He was wearing a bandoleer with SPATULAS (??) in it. "Yes, Ranma lives here." In one fluid motion, the boy drew a gigantic spatula from a holster on his back. "We have some unfinished business to discuss." Akane assumed her combat stance. ------- Beyond that way... Here's Ukyou ------- Nodoka saw the youth draw his weapon, and fetched the Saotome family blade. She whispered to Ranma as she passed "I hope the blade impresses him, my skill will not." She approached the boy at the door. "I am her mother, what do you want with her?" "Ranma and his father walked out on me 10 years ago, I have suffered greatly as a result. He and his father must answer for what they have done to me!" Ranma had soundlessly come to her mother's side, and assumed her combat stance. "I am Saotome Ranma, and you are?" The boy regarded the girl who stood beside her mother "You are not Ranma! Where is he?" Nodoka lowered her blade. "It seems we have some things to discuss Mr..." "Kuonji Ukyou" "Please, come in and be seated." Ukyou entered the house, holstered the spatula, and sat opposite the Tendos and Saotomes. "Now Ukyou, as our guest, I will let you choose: would you like to hear our story first, or will you tell us your own?" "Yours, please." First, Nodoka looked at her daughter. "Ranma, Akane said you feel you are a big girl now, do you truly think you are?" "Yes, mother. I have done well in school this term, and am well behaved in class, just like a big girl is supposed to!" Ranma smiled at her mother. "Ranma, there are some things I haven't told you, if they upset you, please remember you are a big girl now. Akane and Kasumi, perhaps you would like to sit beside Ranma." The two Tendo daughters flanked Ranma on either side, each holding one of her hands. "Nabiki, could you get the documents?" There MIGHT have been a grimace of pain on her usually emotionless face. "Yes, Mrs. Saotome." she said, walked upstairs, then returned a minute later holding a manila folder. "Have you heard of Jusenkyo, Mr. Kuonji?" "No" "Consider yourself blessed. There is no one in this house who is not haunted by that hellish place." "My husband, Saotome Genma", Ukyou's lip quivered at the mention, "and my son Ranma went there to train. I went there searching for them. The pools at this horrid place change the body and mind of any who have the misfortune to fall in them to that of the first creature to drown in a given pool. My husband fell into the spring where an animal drowned. His human mind became that of an animal." Nabiki showed the young man Genma's death certificate. Ukyou looked up from the paper with horror into Ranma's eyes, and saw in them why this girl had his name. "You ARE Ran-chan"... He wept uncontrollably. "My life is over...over." Ranma looked at her mother, tears in her eyes. "Your son fell into the pool where a girl had drowned and became me! My life cost your son his!" Ranma screamed, and was nearly hysterical. The guilt and horror she felt at that moment were too much for her. She fainted. "Ranma!" Akane shouted. "Do you want your mother to lose her daughter too? If you are a big girl, you must be strong for her!" The unconscious girl in her arms did not hear her. Kasumi hugged Ranma fiercely "We love you, Ranma, please don't leave us! Aren't you a big girl?" Ranma's breathing became more regular. Her tear-stained eyes opened. "I am a big girl. I am your big girl." She looked at her mother... She seemed to be thinking, then came to a decision, her face brightening. "I am sorry for YOUR loss, mother, but if they were here, I would not be. I cannot be sad for them. Please forgive me." She looked at the floor. Nodoka lifted her daughter into an embrace. "Ranma, that is exactly how I feel, now. I wish I could mourn them, but I love you so much!" She could say no more, and set her daughter back down. Kasumi got up and went upstairs. Akane wrapped her arms around Ranma and hugged her. There was silence for several minutes. Kasumi returned with towlette dispenser on a tray. Several in the room tried to refresh themselves. After a few more minutes, Ranma looked at Ukyou and asked, "So, Ukyou, what is your story?" "When I was a child, every day my friend Ran-chan would try to steal okonomiyaki off my dad's cart. I would battle him, but always seemed to lose. I grew to love Ranma." Looks of surprise filled the room. "What were you thinking, child? How could you love my son?" "I was not, at the time, a boy. Please let me finish my story." "My father told Genma that I wanted to marry Ranma, and offered his food cart as dowry. Genma said that he would sanction the marriage. As proof of their intentions, I would be taken with them to train. They took me a short distance, then left me behind, taking the food cart." "My father decided on that day that his daughter had dishonored him, but if she became his son...So, I became a boy and devoted myself to martial arts cooking hoping to restore my honor by avenging myself on Ranma and Genma. Because of what happened to Ranma and Genma, my honor can never be restored." She finished in tears. "Ukyou, if you had gone with them, imagine what would have become of you. At best, your father would have a child who did not remember him, at worst..." Nodoka could not finish the sentence. "Well, Genma always did think best with his stomach!" Soun said with good humor. "I can't believe that Saotome creep was ever a friend of yours, Daddy." "Father, how could you ever be a friend of such a man? Ukyou, how did you become a boy?" "I am legally a boy. Every morning, I bind my chest so my body will not reveal my secret." Ranma look on the verge of tears again. Akane tried to comfort her "It's not your fault, Ranma." Ranma got up "I know it's not my fault, Akane, but it is my responsibility. Nabiki, I need to talk to you." Ranma and Nabiki went up the stairs and entered the latter's room. Ranma glanced at Ukyou and closed the door. "What was that about?" Ukyou wondered. The only sound in the living room was the muffled murmurs from upstairs. Nabiki's door opened. Ranma carried an envelope, smiling at Ukyou. Nabiki followed behind, looking almost pleased. "What were you two up to?" Ranma read from a piece of paper. "I asked Nabiki for a loan, against future income, for the price of a food cart plus interest." She looked up. "I think we need to visit Ukyou's father." "Indeed, Ranma, perhaps we can erase another mark on the Saotome clan's honor caused by the growl of Genma's stomach." Ukyou walked over to Ranma and hugged her. ------- On the train to Kyoto, Ukyou tried to give the Saotomes some background on the man they were going to meet. "After the cart had been taken, my father became single-mindedly devoted to business, as I was to martial arts cooking. We both lived to be in a position to have our revenge on the Saotomes. His business has become quite successful, but in his devotion to it he has no time for me, just as I have no time for him." Ukyou looked at Ranma. "I hope that your plan will be able to change that. Thank you, Ran-ma." Ranma considered what Ukyou said as she watched the world fly by her window. ------- The appointment was at 9:00 AM at the headquarters of Kuonji Mercantile, a successful importer of exotic foodstuffs. Ranma, Nodoka and Ukyou presented themselves to Mr. Kuonji's secretary at 8:55. "Ukyou, nice to see you. Your father is expecting you and your friends. Please be seated." The door opened an precisely 9:00. "He will see you now." ------- Two women and a boy entered the office, with Ranma closing the door. The man rose "Hello, Ukyou, I always appreciate a visit for you." He turned to Nodoka and Ranma. "I am Ukyou's Father, Mister Kuonji" "Saotome Nodoka. I am pleased to meet you." Nodoka bowed. "Saotome Ranma. Good morning, sir." Ranma bowed. "I see, are you any relation to Saotome Genma?" "I was his wife." "I was his son." "What proof do you have of these ridiculous assertions? Ukyou, what is the meaning of this!" "Listen to them father, as I have. Then you must listen to Ranma's proposal." "Very well." "Mr. Kuonji, have you ever heard of Jusenkyo..." Ukyou's father stared at Ranma, then at the legal documents, test results, and photographs, trying to reconcile what he saw with what he read. At last, he was satisfied. Ranma rose and approached the desk with an envelope. She handed it to Kuonji. "In this envelope, you will find the cost of a food cart plus accrued interest. It is my hope that this will restore your daughter's honor." The man seemed to be sorting through the bills in the envelope, smiling, he pulled out a perfect 100-yen note. "Honor is not something you can purchase, but you have shown it in great measure, Saotome Ranma. I will take this bill to remind me of the honor of the Saotome clan. You have redeemed my daughter's honor." He grinned broadly, and gave Ranma back the envelope. "I am sorry, I have other business. Would the three of you please join me for lunch at noon today?" The three women left the room. Ranma turned to a grinning Ukyou. "We need to go shopping." ------- Mr. Kuonji was VERY surprised and pleased when he saw his daughter come with her two friends to the lunch date. Nodoka had helped her choose a beautiful new outfit. They ate at an okonomiyaki shop across the street. No small amount of time was spent by Ukyou and her father arguing good-naturedly about exactly how much better each of them could make okonomiyaki than the restaurant. ------- It was going to be a long train ride, and Ranma still liked trains, but she had a friend to talk to this time. "Ran-chan... is it all right if I call you that?" "Is it OK if I call you Ucchan?" The two girls giggled. "Ran-chan, I was wondering if you might like to help out at my cafe. I need some help, and perhaps you might like to learn some martial arts cooking techniques." "I will, on one condition. Akane and I would like to learn more about your combat spatulas. Could you give us a demonstration at the Tendo dojo, Ucchan? We might even want some instruction." "Of course! Will you help in my cafe, Ran-chan?" Ranma echoed what her predecessor had said "I will, I like okonomiyaki AND Ukyou!" "Thank you." Ranma looked out the window at the changing landscape flying by. ------- Beyond that way... Photo Shopper ------- Ranma liked the order in her life. On school days she rose early and worked out with Akane, then she ate breakfast and ran to school with her friend. Neither of them even bothered with any of the idiots waiting outside anymore, a couple of dodges and leaps and they were inside the building. Order continued during class, Ranma getting through each period in time to go through the next. Then it was homework time and off to work. Finally, to bed. On weekends, there was sparring and work. Another term would be over in a few weeks. One day, everything changed. Ranma showed up at Ukyou's cafe at the usual time, but her friend looked glum. "What's wrong?" Ranma asked. "My dad called and wants me to return home to Kyoto and attend an all girl's school. I must admit it seems like a good idea, I am a bit out of practice..." She grinned at Ranma, then noticed the concerned expression on her face. "Ran-chan, you'll be alright, We can write each other, and I can stay with you over school breaks. Since my dad wants me to go to college, perhaps we can go to the same school." "Its going to be hard, but I'm a big girl now, so I'll be OK!" Ranma tried to smile and failed miserably. Work wasn't as much fun as it normally was. A few days later, Ranma saw a photo fall from Kuno's briefcase. It was a photo of herself, sleeping. Ranma could think of only one person who could do this to her, and she thought she was her friend. "Nabiki, what is the meaning of THIS?" Ranma shouted, throwing the photo down in front of the middle Tendo sister. "Ranma, please believe me, I used to sell Kuno photos, but I have long since stopped. I decided I didn't want to see you get hurt, though I see you are doing a good job of that yourself" "What was that supposed to mean?" "When you first came here, you were happy. We enjoyed talking and playing with you, now you are a workaholic whose day is planned, from dawn to dusk." "Well, I don't want to be a free-loading house guest!" "A free-loading house guest? Don't you realize what you and your mother have brought to this house? Kasumi is going to college, because your mom told her to get a life, and took over her housekeeping responsibilities. Akane had been full of rage since our mother's death, but when you came, she showed a tender side none of us knew she had. She seems happy, now. I admit the same thing happened to me. I closed up when my mother died; my only concern was wealth, achieved by any means. But when you came, this innocent girl who needed our constant attention at first, you even caused me to think of someone other than myself. And have you seen our parents lately... Ranma, you need to do something more with you life. Go to a park sometime, a movie, visit the seashore or a temple, go for a walk around the block, that special person we all loved is fading away. Ranma, get a life!" NABIKI was crying. "Nabiki, my workaholic days are over. Ukyou's cafe has been sold by her father, and will close at the end of the term. She will return to Kyoto to attend an all-girls school. Though I didn't spend my free time as you suggest, I will always treasure the time I spent with Ucchan." Ranma sensed others in the room, Akane, Ukyou, and Kasumi entered, closing the door behind. "We have some things to discuss..." Kasumi said with an almost evil grin. ------- Beyond that way... Perfect Disaster ------- Saotome Nodoka wondered what she had gotten herself into. Here she was, standing outside a darkened cafe, looking at a closed sign. She heard footsteps inside. Ukyou opened the door "Good evening Mrs. Saotome, I seem you are dressed as we requested." The restaurant was not quite completely dark, as one table was lit. There was a man she knew very well sitting at it, Tendo Soun. "Well Tendo, what did they tell you?" "That there was a meeting I had to attend of vital importance to the family. I was given this address, and told to be sure and dress appropriately." "I was told the same." Ukyou approached the table, presenting the two people with menus "What would you care for tonight? Everything is on the house." When the meal was over, Nabiki came over and presented the two astonished people with an envelope with what appeared to be a bill. Soun opened it and found 2 tickets to the symphony, and all of the appropriate tickets required to get there and back. "You two had better get going." "Can we pay our respects to the chef?" Nodoka asked Kasumi, Akane, and Ranma came out and bowed. "I am not surprised. The food was excellent! Even the curried pickles were an... intriguing variation on an old favorite. I guess we should go, Nodoka." The last two customers left the restaurant and caught a train downtown. ------- "Oh my! Can you believe the news?" Ranma, the Tendo daughters, and Ukyou were watching the TV news. It seemed that downtown Tokyo had been hit by a blackout, which lasted 2 hours. "All of that planning, ruined." Feeling much like parents concerned about their children who had been out too late, five women wearing nightgowns and bathrobes waited for the arrival of the couple they had sent out on a "perfect" date. About two in the morning, they heard footsteps, talking and laughter approaching the door, which then opened. "You two had us worried to death!" Kasumi told Nodoka and Soun. "Please don't ground us, we will be home earlier next time." Nodoka replied, smiling. "Did you have a good time?" Ranma asked. "We had an... unforgettable night. It started so well. The seats you purchased were superb, Nabiki. Then, the lights went out. We had to hike in semi-darkness, about 4 kilometers to the nearest operating train station. We then took the train back to Nerima, and spent the last two hours talking at an all-night ramen shop down the street." Nodoka looked almost out of breath after that description of the night. "But the company I kept made it all worthwhile." Soun looked at Nodoka and smiled. "Thank you, all of you, for finally getting us to admit what we have known for some time." Nodoka said, looking into Soun's eyes. They kissed, and there was much rejoicing. "I'm turning in, I need to catch a train tom...tonight." Ukyou finally said. She and Ranma were sleeping in Ranma's room for one last night together. Ranma followed her friend upstairs. ------- Though it was a little later that normal, the usual strange sounds which rang out when Ukyou visited came from the dojo. Soun and Nodoka watched the strange spectacle as Ukyou instructed Ranma and Akane on the ancient and honored art of Battle Spatula combat. It was hard to tell who was more skilled, Ukyou noted, but they had both mastered her weapon of choice. Ukyou was proud of her two students. After a few more minutes of practice, the three tired girls quit for the day. "Don't forget to practice, while I'm away," Ukyou told her two friends. "We won't," Ranma and Akane chorused. "After you three get cleaned up, how about lunch before we head to the station?" "Great!" said Ranma. The three headed for the bathroom. ------- Ranma looked a little sad at the train station. "Goodbye Ucchan" Akane walked up. "Hey you two, I purchased 2 roundtrip tickets, so we can go to Kyoto with Ukyou. What do you say, Ranma?" "Thanks, Akane, let's go!" There were now three passengers saying goodbye to the rest, though two would be back tomorrow. ------- Beyond that way... A new family ------- Ranma and Akane paused in their daily workout. They had pushed each other to greater and greater heights each day. "Has it really only been one year? It seems like a lifetime!" "One year HAS been my lifetime, baka-chan." Ranma smirked. "Let's get ready." Akane smiled at Ranma ------- It was a simple legal service. The bride and her daughter stood to one side of the window; the groom and his three daughters stood to the other. Each marked the document that would declare them wed. Ukyou had taken the train from Kyoto and watched. After the clerk checked the document, he spoke "I have an additional announcement to make. Yesterday, the adoption of Saotome Ranma by Tendo Soun was approved. It seems all of you are a family now, congratulations." Ranma looked with joy into her mother's eyes, her father's, then each of her sisters. Her smile could have lit all of Tokyo. Nodoka was pleased; her daughter was not a man among men, but had honor her father never had. The pact burned in a Chinese fire was fulfilled, in spirit if not word, though neither the boy nor the man who signed it was there to see it...Her daughter was, however, and that was more than enough. (END) ------------------------------------------------------------------ What can I say? I wanted to provide a happy ending to Scott Jamison's "But That Way Lies..." Scott decided it was 'unofficial' because it doesn't really match the mood of his story, but he *did* provide excellent C&C. I actually wrote this several months ago, but *finally* decided to post it... Comments to khammel@mail.geocities.com